Karavali utsava and Rayotsava planned with a better profile in DK

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Oct 17, 2014: A meet to decide on the preparations for the "Karavali Utsav 2014" brought the district in-charge Minister B. Ramanath Rai to direct the administration to ensure this year’s utsav pleases all groups of peple. The DK district administration is all set to organise "Karavali Utsav 2014" in an up-dated grand format, to include food festival, cultural and music festivals and exhibition stalls highlighting coastal Tuluva culture December 20 to December 31.

DK DC A.B. Ibrahim said that while exhibition stalls and related activities of the festival could be arranged at the Karavali exhibition grounds, cultural programmes and weekend special programmes could be arranged at the Kadri Park. He said a national-level artiste could be invited to render a musical performance to mark the festival.

Mr. Ibrahim said about Rs. 50 lakh was spent for the festival last year and this year Rs. 1.5 crore is allotted to the festival to make it more vibrant. Rs. 50 lakh each was expected from the State government, sale of exhibition space, sponsorships. DC said the food festival could be arranged at the beach. Horticulture Department officials said Kadri Park might not be able to accommodate more than 2,000 people for cultural programmes. Crowds would only damage the park, he said.

Minister of State for Sports and Youth Empowerment K. Abhayachandra Jain, Additional Deputy Commissioner Sadashiva Prabhu and other officials attended the meeting that arrived at a better understanding.

Further, the DK district administration is planning to promote Kabaddi in Karavali utsav. Speaking at a meeting DK DC said that as per the wishes of Minister, Karavali utsav will be observed in an unique manner. To give colour to the celebrations, Kabaddi will be organised. He added that to hold Kabaddi competition a sum of Rs 20 lakh has been earmarked, Rs 30 lakh for cultural programmes, Rs 20 lakh for beach utsav, Rs five lakh for food festival and Rs five lakh for procession of various folk art teams.

Rajyotsava Day : In a seperate discussion, to plan out Rajyotsava celebrations, the DK administration decided to hold the cultural function at Kadri Park in the early evening as the Town Hall is not available due to renovation.

Mr. Ibrahim asked officials to arrange the cultural entertainment in a manner that the programme would continue to be so held in the future. Dpartments have been asked to participate in the morning procession from Jyothi Circle to Nehru Maidan where the celebrations would be launched. Students from different schools in the city are expected to participate in the procession along with members of Women Self Help Groups and anganwadi volunteers and so on. The very shape of the utsava is to be given a new avtar to make a impact for the future.